Through a meaningful collaboration to mark Mandela Day, on 25 July 2024, UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA) and SaferStops Association (SSA) rolled up their sleeves to donate winter hampers to approximately 350 truck drivers at Vaal Truck-Inn Truck Stop - situated next to the N3. This initiative underscores UDTSA's unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its dedication to the well-being of those at the heart of the logistics industry. The hampers will include essential winter items aiming to provide comfort and warmth during the colder months.
SaferStops Association (SSA) emerged from the gender-diversity initiatives facilitated by the Commercial Transport Academy (CTA). It is a collaborative initiative to enhance the well-being of commercial drivers in South Africa, particularly truck drivers. The ultimate aim of this alliance is to establish a baseline standard for all truck stops, a yardstick that guarantees drivers are afforded the vital support they need to excel in their roles and improve safety on the roads.
Nicci Scott, CEO of SaferStops comments: “As SSA, we are honoured by the pivotal support of UDTSA to make Mandela month special to truck drivers who keep the wheels for our economy turning. Truck drivers often face long hours away from home and may have limited access to essentials, noble acts like these not only meet immediate needs of drivers but also highlight the importance of meaningful partnerships that will move our industry forward”.
Supporting communities through various CSR Initiatives
UDTSA's commitment to social responsibility extends beyond this Nelson Mandela Day initiative. The company has been actively involved in several impactful CSR programs, each designed to address specific societal needs and contribute to the community's overall well-being.
Shoprite Soup Kitchen initiative
UDTSA is a proud partner of the Shoprite Soup Kitchen initiative, which focuses on hunger alleviation in society. Through this program, UD Trucks has provided mobile units in the form of trucks to support immediate hunger relief needs in the communities where Shoprite operates. In the second quarter of 2024 alone, UDTSA donated a new Kuzer truck, bringing the total number of trucks donated to four. These mobile kitchens play a crucial role in delivering hot meals to those in need, especially in underserved areas.
Ultimate Women Program
In line with its commitment to gender transformation and advancement in the transport industry, UDTSA launched the Ultimate Women Program in November 2022. This program focuses on empowering women in various roles within the transport sector, offering training and development opportunities to promote equality. The program has since expanded to include bus driver training, further supporting the broader goal of gender inclusivity. As part of this expansion, UDTSA has provided a 65-seater Croner bus for a three-month training program.
Apprenticeship training support
UDTSA also recognizes the importance of technical education and skills development. The company has donated a used vehicle to Soltech, an organization that participates in the UD Apprentice program. These vehicles are used for the technical training of candidates, equipping them with the practical skills needed to excel in their careers. This initiative ensures that future generations of technicians are well-prepared to meet the demands of the industry.
Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa, further adds: "July is a time when all of us in South Africa pause and extend goodness to those in need as a way of recognizing the legacy left for the nation. We hope our contribution to the drivers will go a long way in ensuring their comfort and well-being whilst they continue to keep the trucks on the road where they belong. As a company that is guided by its purpose of 'Better Life,' it is this very purpose that spurs our ongoing commitment to making various positive contributions to the societies we serve and within the transport industry, promoting a better life for the planet, growth, and people."
UDTSA ‘s ongoing commitment to driving positive change in the industry through empowering disadvantaged groups, investing in skills development, and socio-economic contributions has once again been recognized once again as the company recently achieved a Level 3 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) rating for the second consecutive year.
To maintain its Level 3 BBBEE contributor status, UDTSA invested significantly towards skills training and development through the company’s participation in the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, a business-led collaboration with the government that provides an opportunity to unemployed youth in South Africa for development and job creation.
“As UDTSA, we are proud of the significant strides we have made not only to provide exceptional products and services but to also ensure a transformed and socially responsible organisation. On our transformation journey we have taken a holistic approach that encompasses our employees, customers, dealers and communities. Achieving a level 3 contributor status for the second consecutive year as a company, further underscores our ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth, socio-economic development and participation in the commercial vehicle industry, concludes, Janet Frost, Human Resources Director at UD Trucks Southern Africa.
We look forward to continuing our journey towards greater empowerment, growth, and consistently living our Better Life purpose.
